Beam clamp connector

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a universal beam clamp connector which accommodates either a fixed attachment or a swivel attachment of a threaded rod to a support beam. The beam clamp connector includes a connector portion and a threaded rod extender. A threaded rod extender has a cylindrical shape and an exterior surface. The exterior surface includes threading thereon. The connector portion includes a top surface, a tool engaging portion and a central body extending therebetween. The threaded rod extender protrudes from the top surface and the tool engaging portion protrudes from the central body. The central body includes an opening therethrough. The opening is defined by a top inner surface, a bottom inner surface and two opposing inner side surfaces. A nut is used to secure a threaded rod of a device to the beam clamp connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION:

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/090,051 filed on Aug. 19, 2008, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a beam clamp connector. More particularly, the present invention relates to a connector for securement and support of various attachments to a beam clamp.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Beam clamps provide a temporary and/or permanent mount to a wide range of tapered or flat beams. For example, beam clamps are attached to the flange of the support beam and provide connection points for threaded rod so as to allow for a way to secure various attachments to the support beam. For example, in an industrial setting, a conduit channel, lighting, equipment or piping can be attached to or suspended from a support beam using a variety of clamping devices.

Some prior art clamps are limited in their design, for example, clamping devices are designed to attach to a specific surface and size beam. Additionally, some clamping devices are designed to only allow for attachment of a rod in a fixed manner perpendicular to the clamp, while other clamping devices are designed to provide a rod that can pivot with respect to the clamp. Thus, depending on the desired attachment option, purchase of one or the other beam clamp is required to meet the user's need.

It is therefore desirable to provide a universal clamp connection device, which can be used for either form of attachment, fixed or pivotal, and which can be used in conjunction with a variety of commercially available beam clamps. Additionally, a universal clamp connection device is needed that provides for easy installation and removal of the clamp connection device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an universal beam clamp connection which provides fixed, swivel or pivoting attachment of a threaded rod to a support beam. The beam clamp connection includes a connector portion and a threaded rod extender. The threaded rod extender has a cylindrical shape and an exterior surface which includes threading thereon. The connector portion includes a top surface, a tool engaging hexagonal portion and a central body extending therebetween. The threaded rod extender protrudes from the top surface and the tool engaging portion protrudes from the central body. The central body includes an opening therethrough. The opening is defined by a top inner surface, a bottom inner surface and two opposing inner side surfaces. The top inner surface includes a top cylindrical opening with threading therein and the bottom inner surface includes a bottom opening which extends through the bottom inner surface and though the tool engaging hexagonal portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beam clamp connector according to the present invention, including a clamp and threaded rod.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the beam clamp connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the beam clamp connector of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the beam clamp connector of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the beam clamp connector of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a side plan view of the beam clamp connector of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the beam clamp connector of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the beam clamp connector of FIG. 2 in the fixed position including a threaded rod attached thereto.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the beam clamp connector of FIG. 2 in the swivel position including a threaded rod attached thereto.

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1-10, there is shown a perspective view of the beam clamp connecting device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows clamp body 10 attached to the beam clamping connector 12 and a threaded rod 14. Clamp body 10 is secured to a beam (not shown) to provide support for threaded rod 14. FIG. 1 shows the assembled device in the fixed attachment position. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the beam clamp connector 12 including a threaded rod extender 16 integrally attached by material continuity to the connector portion 18. The rod extender 16 is cylindrical in shape and includes external threading 20 on the exterior surface 17 of the rod extender. A portion of the rod 16 may also include internal threads. The rod 16 extends from the top surface of the connector portion 18.

The connector portion 18 is shown in these figures as being generally cylindrical about two sides 21 and flat faced about two opposing sides 22 but other shapes will also suffice. The connector portion 18 includes a top surface 24 of which the rod 16 extends therefrom, a bottom surface 26 of which a hexagonal portion 28 designed to be engaged by a tool protrudes therefrom by material continuity, and a central section 19 extending between the top surface 24 and the hexagonal portion 28. FIG. 2 shows two sides of the tool engaging hexagonal portion 28 being continuous with the flat faced sides 22 of the connector portion 18 but this need not always be the case. The connector portion 18 includes an external surface and an internal surface 30 defining a pair of square or other shaped openings and an internal cavity, 32 extending therebetween. The opening 52, in this case square, extends from one flat-faced side 22 to the other flat-faced side 22 through the connector 12. The internal surface 30 includes two internal side surfaces 34, a top internal surface 36 and a bottom internal surface 38. The material between the top surface 24 and the internal top surface 36 includes a top cylindrical hole 40 therethrough which has threading 42 therein. The threading 42 and hole 40 are sized to mate with a standard threaded rod 14.

The connector portion 18 includes a tool engaging hexagonal portion 28 (but other shapes will suffice) extending from the bottom surface 26. The material between the bottom internal surface 38 to the bottom external surface 44 of the hexagonal portion 28 includes a bottom cylindrical hole 46 therethrough. The bottom cylindrical hole 46 is unthreaded having a substantially smooth side wall 47 with the diameter D being larger than the standard outer diameter of a threaded rod 14 (and thus also larger than top hole 40). Hence rod 14 easily passes through hole 46.

FIG. 8 shows the beam clamp connector 12 in the fixed position as similarly shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 8 shows a threaded rod 14 extending through the bottom cylindrical hole 46, through the internal square cavity 32 and internally mated with the top cylindrical hole 40 via threads 42. An additional fastener, such as a nut 48, is secured to the threaded rod 14. The nut 48 is tightened against the bottom external surface 44 of the hexagonal portion 28 to prevent the rod 14 from becoming loose. The nut 48 in conjunction with the threads 42 secures the threaded rod 14 in a fixed position. Threaded rod extender 16 may then be attached to a beam clamp body 10, as shown in FIG. 1 if not already done. Tool engaging portion 28 is preferably hexagonal so as to be readily accommodated by either a socket or a wrench. This makes it relatively easy to thread rod extender 16 of connector 12 into top hole 40 of clamp 10 and especially when clamp 10 is mounted to a beam well above floor level. In that situation, the user is able to readily secure connector 12 to clamp 10 from underneath, and not from the side or above clamp 10 and/or the beam as is often the case.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show attachment of a threaded rod 14 in a swivel or pivotal position. The threaded rod 14 extends through the bottom cylindrical hole 46, and into the internal cavity 32. The threaded rod 14 is mated with additional fastener or nut 50 within the internal cavity 32. The nut 50 includes a set screw 52 which secures the nut 50 in place. Preferably, the nut 50 and internal cavity 32 are sized so that there is interference between the two thus preventing rotation of nut 50 when rod 14 is threaded therethrough. In other words, cavity 32 effectively ‘captures’ nut 50 by being sized smaller than the largest diameter of nut 50. The threaded rod extender 16 is attached to a beam clamp body 10 by threading as shown in FIG. 1.

The swivel position as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 allows for the threaded rod 14 to pivot and swivel at an Angle A which is about 15° from center line C of the connector 12. The threaded rod 14 may pivot at angle A around the center line C (360° about C) due to the oversize of opening 48 and retention by nut 50. This swivel feature compensates for mounting that may be offset or which requires some movement which is not allow or permitted for the threaded rod 14 connected in the fixed position.

Having described the preferred embodiments herein, it should now be appreciated that variations may be made thereto without departing from the contemplated scope of the invention. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments described herein are deemed illustrative rather than limiting, the true scope of the invention being set forth in the claims appended hereto. 

1. A beam clamp connector comprising: a threaded rod extender having a cylindrical shape and an exterior surface, said exterior surface includes threading thereon; and a connector portion including a top surface, a tool engaging portion and a central body extending therebetween, said threaded rod extender protrudes from said top surface and said tool engaging portion protrudes from said central body, said central body includes an opening therethrough, said opening is defined by a top inner surface, a bottom inner surface and two opposing inner side surfaces.
 2. The beam clamp connector of claim 1, wherein said top inner surface includes a top cylindrical opening with threading therein.
 3. The beam clamp connector of claim 1, wherein said bottom inner surface includes a bottom opening which extends through said bottom inner surface and though said tool engaging portion.
 4. The beam clamp connector of claim 1, wherein said opening has a square shape opening extending through said central body.
 5. The beam clamp of claim 4, wherein said opening includes a smooth internal sidewall.
 6. The beam clamp connector of claim 2, wherein said bottom inner surface includes a bottom opening, said bottom opening is larger than said top opening.
 7. The beam clamp connector of claim 6, further including a rod extending through said bottom opening and extending into said top opening, said rod is attached to said threads of said top opening, an additional nut being attached to said rod and adjacent to said tool engaging portion, said rod is fixedly securing to said connector.
 8. The beam clamp connector of claim 6, further including a rod extending through said bottom opening and extending into said opening of said central body, an additional nut being attached to said rod, said nut is located within said opening of said central body, said rob is pivotally secured to said connecter.
 9. The beam clamp connector of claim 6, wherein said bottom opening includes a a smooth inner surface.
 10. A beam clamp connector comprising: a threaded rod extender having a cylindrical shape and an exterior surface, said exterior surface includes threading thereon; and a connector portion integrally attached to said rod by material continuity.
 11. The beam clamp connector of claim 10 wherein a portion of said threaded rod extender includes an internal surface extending within said rod defining a hollow cylindrical portion and said hollow cylindrical portion includes an internal surface having internal threading thereon.
 12. The beam clamp of claim 10 wherein said connector portion includes two cylindrical sides connected by two flat surfaced sides, a top side and a bottom side, said threaded rod extends from said top side, said bottom sides includes a hexagonal portion extending therefrom by material continuity.
 13. The beam clamp of claim 10 wherein two sides of said hexagonal portion is continuous with each of said two flat surfaced sides.
 14. The beam clamp of claim 10 wherein said connector portion includes an opening therethrough extending from one of said two flat surfaced sides to another of said flat surfaced sides defining a cavity therethrough.
 15. The beam clamp of claim 14 wherein said cavity includes an internal surface having an internal top surface, an internal bottom surface, two internal sides surfaces connecting said top surface to said bottom surface, said internal top surface including a top cylindrical hole extending therethrough.
 16. The beam clamp of claim 15 wherein said internal bottom surface including a bottom cylindrical hole extending therethrough.
 17. The beam clamp of claim 16 wherein said top cylindrical hole is threaded.
 18. The beam clamp of claim 17 wherein said bottom cylindrical hole has a smooth internal surface.
 19. A beam clamp connector comprising: a threaded rod extender having a cylindrical shape and an exterior surface, said exterior surface includes threading thereon; and a connector portion including two cylindrical sides connected by two flat surfaced sides, a top side and a bottom side, said threaded rod integrally attached to and extends from said top side by material continuity, said bottom sides includes a hexagonal portion extending therefrom by material continuity, said connector portion includes an opening extending through said connector portion from one of said two flat surfaced sides to another of said flat surfaced sides defining a cavity therethrough, said cavity includes an internal surface having an internal top surface with a hole therein, an internal bottom surface with a hole therein, and two internal side surfaces connecting said top surface to said bottom surface.
 20. The beam clamp connector of claim 19 wherein a portion of said threaded rod extender includes a hole therein in communication with the hole of said internal top surface of said cavity. 